'THE SINGING BEE' AND 'AMERICA'S GOT TALENT' PACE NBC'S WEEK OF JULY 16-22

'SINGING BEE' AND 'TALENT' RANK IN THE WEEK'S TOP FIVE IN ADULTS 18-49, AND ARE #1 AND #2 IN TOTAL VIEWERS

NBC RANKS #2 FOR THE WEEK IN ADULTS 18-49 AND TOTAL VIEWERS

BURBANK, Calif. � July 24, 2007 � Paced by more strong numbers for the original summer series "The Singing Bee" and "America's Got Talent," NBC ranked #2 for the week in primetime's key demographic of adults 18-49, averaging a 2.0 rating, 6 share in adults 18-49 and 6.0 million viewers overall for the week of July 16-22, according to "live plus same day" in-home viewing figures from Nielsen Media Research.

NBC had two of the top five and three of the top 10 programs of the week in primetime's key demographic of adults 18-49. "The Singing Bee" ranked #2, "America's Got Talent" ranked #5 and the Wednesday edition of "Dateline" was #6 (tied).

In overall total viewers, NBC had the top three programs of the week, with "The Singing Bee" (11.0 million) ranking #1, "America's Got Talent" (10.4 million) ranking #2 and Tuesday's encore "Law & Order: SVU" (9.5 million) ranking #3.

Primetime averages for the week of July 16-22 in adults 18-49 were Fox (2.2/7), NBC (2.0/6), CBS (1.7/6), ABC (1.6/5), Univision (1.4/5), CW (0.7/2) and Telemundo (0.5/2). In overall total viewers the weekly averages were CBS (6.2 million), NBC (6.0 million), Fox (5.5 million), ABC (4.7 million), Univision (3.2 million), CW (1.9 million) and Telemundo (1.1 million).

In regular program averages through 44 weeks of the 2006-07 broadcast year, NBC is running within a tenth of a point of last year's average in adult 18-49 rating (3.0 vs. 3.1). While Fox is flat versus last year in regular-program averages (at a 3.9), both ABC and CBS are down 9 percent (from a 3.5 at this point last year to a 3.2 this year for both networks).

NBC highlights for the week of July 16-22:

* Monday's "Victoria Beckham: Coming to America" generated a 29 percent increase on NBC's Monday 8-9 p.m. average this summer in adults 18-49, to rank #1 in the time period in 18-49 and numerous other key ratings categories.

* Also on Monday, "Dateline NBC" built on its 18-49 lead-in by 44 percent to win the time period for the third time in "Dateline's" last four Monday telecasts.

* On Tuesday, "The Singing Bee" was the #1 show of the night in 18-49 and total viewers, sweeping its time period in every key ratings category. "The Singing Bee" built by 9 percent on NBC's 18-49 rating in the prior half-hour, matching the build on lead-in "Bee" delivered with its premiere telecast one week earlier.

* Also on Tuesday, "America's Got Talent" won its time period with a 33 percent increase over NBC's 18-49 rating in the slot on the same night last year.

* Tuesday's "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" won the 10 p.m. hour in all key ratings categories, helping NBC take Tuesday night in adults, men and women 18-34, 18-49 and 25-54, plus total viewers.

* On Wednesday, "Dateline: NBC" swept the time period in all key demographics, winning the hour in adults, men and women 18-49, 18-34 and 25-54.

* Also on Wednesday, "Most Outrageous Moments" delivered NBC's highest 18-49 rating in the time period in nine weeks.

* On Thursday, an encore telecast of "Victoria Beckham: Coming to America" matched NBC's highest 18-49 rating in the time period in nine weeks.

* Also on Thursday, "30 Rock" retained 100 percent of its 18-49 lead-in, the show's strongest retention to date in that Thursday 8:30-9 p.m. half-hour.

* On Friday, solid performances from encores of "1 vs 100," "Las Vegas" and "Law & Order: Criminal Intent" propelled NBC to a #1 finish for the night in adults 18-49 (tied). NBC also ranked #1 Friday night in total viewers, the network's second consecutive Friday win by this measure.

* On Sunday, an encore "Dateline NBC" reported its highest numbers in six weeks, a "Law & Order" encore won its slot in total viewers and a "Law & Order: SVU" rebroadcast won its time period in 18-49 and other key demographic measures. NBC ranked #2 on Sunday in adults 18-49 and #1 for the night in total viewers.

Ratings reflect "live plus same day" data unless otherwise noted. Season-to-date figures are averages of "live plus seven day" data except for the two most recent weeks, which are "live plus same day."

Additional NBC highlights for the week of July 16-22:

On Monday, July 16 from 8-9 p.m. ET, "Victoria Beckham: Coming to America" (2.2 rating, 7 share in adults 18-49, 5.0 million viewers overall) won the hour in 18-49 with a 29 percent increase on NBC's 18-49 average in the time period this summer (2.2 vs. 1.7) and a 57 percent jump in the slot week-to-week (2.2 vs. 1.4). Versus NBC's rating in this time period on the same night last year, "Victoria Beckham: Coming to America" is up 47 percent (2.2 vs. 1.5). The hour-long special won the time period among adults 18-49, women 18-49, adults, men and women 18-34, adults 25-54 (tie) and women 25-54 (tie).

Monday at 9 p.m. ET, "Age of Love" delivered a 1.8/5 in 18-49 and 4.5 million viewers overall. From its first half-hour to its second, "Age of Love" increased its 18-49 rating by 12 percent (to a 1.9/5 from a 1.7/5).

At 10 p.m. ET Monday, "Dateline NBC" (2.6/7 in 18-49, 7.4 million viewers overall) built on its 18-49 lead-in by 44 percent to win the time period for third time in "Dateline's" last four Monday telecasts. Versus NBC's 18-49 rating in the time period on the same night last year, "Dateline" was up 73 percent (2.6 vs. 1.5). From its first half-hour to its second, "Dateline" increased its 18-49 rating by 13 percent (to a 2.7/8 from a 2.4/7) and its 25-54 rating by 19 percent (to a 3.2/9 from a 2.7/7) to put NBC #1 in the half-hour leading into local news.

NBC was #1 Monday night in 18-49, the network's 19th Monday win this broadcast year.

On Tuesday, July 17 from 8-9:30 p.m. ET, "America's Got Talent" (3.2/10 in 18-49, 10.4 million viewers overall) convincingly won the time period in 18-49, total viewers and other key ratings categories in a time slot that included competition from CBS' "Big Brother," ABC's "Shaq's Big Challenge" and the debut of "Just For Laughs" and Fox's "On the Lot" and "House" encore. Versus NBC's results in this time period on the same night last year, also with original unscripted programming, "America's Got Talent" was up this week in 18-49 by 33 percent (3.2/10 vs. 2.4/7).

Tuesday from 9:30-10:01 p.m. ET, "The Singing Bee" (3.7/11 in 18-49, 11.0 million viewers overall) delivered the #1 results of the night in 18-49, total viewers and other key ratings categories. "Singing Bee" built by 16 percent on the full-duration 18-49 rating of its lead-in program, "America's Got Talent" and by 9 percent on the 9-9:30 half-hour of "Talent" (matching the 9 percent build "Bee" delivered with its premiere telecast one week earlier). "Singing Bee" swept the time slot, winning in adults, men and women 18-34, 18-49 and 25-54, as well as total viewers.

From 10:01-11 p.m. ET Tuesday, an encore telecast of "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" (2.8/8 in 18-49, 9.5 million viewers overall) swept the time period in all key rating categories, adults, men and women 18-34, 18-49 and 25-54, plus total viewers. From its first half-hour to its second, "SVU's" 18-49 rating increased by 15 percent (to a 3.0/9 from a 2.6/8). Versus the same night last year, "SVU" is up in 18-49 rating by 22 percent (2.8/8 vs. 2.3/7).

NBC won Tuesday night in all key ratings categories, adults, men and women 18-34, 18-49 and 25-54, plus total viewers. NBC has finished #1 or tied for #1 for the last seven Tuesday nights in a row.

On Wednesday, July 18 from 8-9 p.m. ET, an encore telecast of "Most Outrageous Moments" (1.9/6 in 18-49, 5.8 million viewers overall) scored NBC's top 18-49 rating in this time period in nine weeks (since May 16). In total viewers, it's NBC's strongest result in the slot since June 13.

At 9 p.m. ET Wednesday, "Last Comic Standing" (2.6/8 in 18-49, 6.4 million viewers overall) built by 37 percent on its 18-49 lead-in to match NBC's highest rating in the time period in five weeks (since June 13). "Last Comic" is #2 in the time slot in 18-49 and #1 in men 18-49 and 25-54.

Wednesday at 10 p.m. ET, "Dateline NBC" (3.1/9 in 18-49, 7.2 million viewers overall) reported the network's strongest 18-49 and total viewer numbers in this time period in five weeks (since June 13). "Dateline" ranked #1 for the hour in every key demographic (including a tie in women 25-54). "Dateline's" margin of victory in 18-49 was 35 percent (3.1/9 vs. 2.3/7 for CBS' #2 CSI: NY encore).

On Thursday, July 19, NBC's 8-10 p.m. comedy lineup was hosted by Victoria Beckham, who throughout the evening presented clips from her Monday special "Victoria Beckham: Coming to America."

At 8 p.m. ET Thursday, an encore telecast of "My Name is Earl" delivered a 1.6/6 in 18-49 and 4.4 million viewers overall.

Thursday at 8:30 p.m. ET, a rebroadcast of "30 Rock" (1.6/5 in 18-49, 3.5 million viewers overall) retained 100 percent of its 18-49 lead-in from "My Name is Earl." This marks "30 Rock's" strongest retention in this Thursday 8:30 p.m. time period to date.

From 9-9:31 p.m. ET Thursday, a rebroadcast of "The Office" (2.0/6 in 18-49, 4.1 million viewers overall) built on its 18-49 lead-in by 25 percent. "The Office" ranked #2 in the time period among adults 18-34 and #1 (tie) among men 18-34. From 9:31-10:01 p.m. ET, an encore telecast of "Scrubs" averaged a 1.7/5 in 18-49 and 3.3 million viewers overall.

Thursday at 10 p.m. ET, an encore telecast of "Victoria Beckham: Coming to America" (2.0/6 in 18-49, 4.0 million viewers overall) matched NBC's highest 18-49 rating in this time period in nine weeks (since May 17). "Victoria Beckham: Coming to America" finished within 9 percent of its 18-49 rating for the show's original run Monday night at 8 p.m. (2.2/7). Thursday's rebroadcast finished within a tenth of a point of the time-period lead in 18-49 and won the hour among adults, men and women 18-34, beating the combined ABC-CBS competition among adults 18-34 (2.1 vs. a combined 1.9 for ABC and CBS). "Victoria Beckham: Coming to America" improved on NBC's 18-49 average in the time period this summer by 25 percent (2.0 vs. 1.6).

On Friday, July 20 from 8-9 p.m. ET, an encore telecast of "1 vs 100" (1.4/6 in 18-49, 4.6 million viewers overall) ranked #1 in adults 18-49. At 9 p.m., a rebroadcast of "Las Vegas" (1.3/5 in 18-49, 4.6 million viewers overall) ranked #2 in 18-49 and #1 among adults 25-54, total viewers and all key adult female demographics.

Friday at 10 p.m. ET, an encore telecast of "Law & Order: Criminal Intent" (1.5/5 in 18-49, 5.4 million viewers overall) tied for #1 in adults 18-49 and ranked #1 outright in total viewers. "Criminal Intent" built on its lead-in by 15 percent in 18-49 and 17 percent in total viewers.

NBC ranked #1 (tied) in adults 18-49, marking the 11th time this broadcast year that NBC has ranked #1 or tied for #1 on Friday night in primetime's key demo. NBC won Friday night in total viewers, the network's second consecutive Friday win by this measure.

On Saturday, July 21 from 8-8:30 p.m. ET, an encore telecast of Tuesday's episode of "The Singing Bee" (1.0/4 in 18-49, 3.4 million viewers overall) was up 43 percent in 18-49 rating (1.0 vs. 0.7) and 33 percent in overall viewers (3.4 million vs. 2.6 million) versus last week's encore telecast in this time period. "Bee" ranked #2 in 18-49 and total viewers. From 8:30-10 p.m., a rebroadcast of Tuesday's 90-minute "America's Got Talent" averaged a 1.0/4 in 18-49 and 3.8 million viewers overall, up 11 percent in 18-49 rating and 3 percent in total viewers versus the prior Saturday's "Talent" rebroadcast in this time period. At 10 p.m., an encore telecast of "Medium" averaged a 0.8/3 in 18-49 and 3.2 million viewers overall.

On Sunday, July 22 from 7-9 p.m. ET, an encore "Dateline NBC" (1.8/6 in 18-49, 7.0 million viewers overall) reported the show's highest 18-49 and total viewer results for a Sunday telecast in six weeks, up 29 percent in 18-49 versus the prior week (1.8 vs.1.4). From its first half-hour to its fourth, "Dateline" grew by 92 percent in 18-49 (to a 2.3/7 from a 1.2/5) and by 80 percent, or nearly 4.0 million persons, in total viewers (to 8.9 million from.4.9 million). "Dateline" ranked #1 in its two-hour time period in adults 25-54 (tied) and in overall viewers.

Sunday at 9 p.m. ET, an encore "Law & Order" (1.7/5 in 18-49, 6.6 million viewers overall) was up 13 percent in 18-49 rating (1.7 vs. 1.5) and 19 percent in total viewers (6.6 million vs. 5.5 million) versus the prior week. "Law & Order" ranked #1 in total viewers. At 10 p.m., a rebroadcast of "Law & Order: SVU" (1.9/6 in 18-49, 6.6 million viewers overall) ranked #1 in adults 18-49, total viewers and other key measures.

NBC ranked #2 on Sunday night in adults 18-49 and was #1 in total viewers.